Greetings and salutations!
It has been many years since I have cruised with Holland America. I was on a Carnival ship two years ago and it was awful. The food was terrible (the Americans and their french fries) and the smoke on board was as thick as pea soup.

Does anyone have any comments about Holland America as of late? I have a trip planned on the Zuiderdam this year.

I was on a Carnival ship two years ago and it was awful. The food was terrible (the Americans and their french fries) and the smoke on board was as thick as pea soup.

Welcome to Cruise-Chat!

Food quality on board any line is a subjective type personal assessment. You'll find the majority of Carnival cruisers think the food is wonderful. As far as the smoke being as thick as pea soup, I disagree with that comment as it is an exaggeration. Carnival has limited smoking areas. The same is currently true of Holland America Line.

I was on the Zuiderdam three years ago and her sister ship Noordam, three months ago. Holland America is my favorite cruise line. The ships are always clean, the crew is always smiling, helpful and wonderful, the food has always been excellant - although I must admit, we don't do much "4 dollar-sign ($$$$) dining. As far as I can remember, you will only find french fries in the Terrace Grill with the hamburgers and hot dogs... I didn't see them anywhere in the dining room or Lido Buffet. Holland America will be more quiet than the Carnival ship you were on . . and only one extra charge dining room. I do hope you enjoy your experience on Holland America and come back to tell us what you thought.

Was on the Volendam last July, fries were around. I think we even had a fish and chip option in the main dining room one night.
Well to back up what Dwayne has said. I prefer the Carnival food. Our friends prefer Princess. Now we did not starve by any means, but I do prefer Carnival.
Now to back up Janfred. I do not think smoking has been a problem on any ship in the last few years. I found less smoke in the HAL Casinos. Casinos are about the only place we fine smoke.
BTW the only two Carnival ships I have been on is the Pride (Dwayne now has that ship ) and the Spirit.

Hi Sheepie - my husband and I have cruised with HAL a number of times over the last few years. We have been on the Zaandam, Ryndam, Westerdam and are booked on the Noordam for 20 days in April. We have always found the food to be delicious and the staff very friendly. Although you can find burgers and fries on the ship we have never found them on the menu in the dining room or in the Lido Buffet at dinner time. We spent 5 weeks aboard the Westerdam in April 09 and can't say that we ever had a bad meal. We were recently on a Royal Caribbean ship and the food didn't measure up to what we have come to expect on the HAL ships. As for smoking - the HAL ships have very limited areas where you can smoke indoors. Usually only the casino, 1 or 2 of the bars and 1 outer deck area at the rear of the ship. Neither my husband or I smoke and have never found smoke to be a noticable problem on any of the HAL ships we have been on.

Enjoy your cruise. I am sure you will enjoy the wonderful service and quality food on HAL.